Winding crank for cameras



Nov. 13, 1951 A. w. CHRIST WINDING CRANKMFOR CAMERAS File d June 10,1949 Z'Snventor 141mm Mu MM (l/m; r

A (Ittorneg Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT O'FFKIE WINDINGCRANK FORCAME'BAS" Alfred William Christ, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 10, 1949,:Serial No.98,-330

13 Claims.

1 The-present invention relates to the winding cranks now employed withcertain types of movie cameras for thepurpose of winding an actuating"spring therein to place this spring under the tensionnecessary foroperation of the camera.

At the present time, the use of the well known sixteen millimetermovie-camera is coming into widespread use. Such movie cameras areproduced by several manufacturers although the presentinventionis'concerned primarily with-the movie camera produced" by Belland Howell or one thatis identified-as-being of that type. In-a {sixteenmillimeter moviecamera of the-Belland Howelltype a spring is employed asthe source oat power for-operating the camera-while pictures are beingtaken. Obviously, this spring must be under tension in order to providethe operating force and after continued periods of operation, the springwill run-down and it is necessary from time to-time to rewind the-springso as to place it under the tension necessary for operation of thecamera.

At the present time, movie cameras of the Bell and Howell type include awinding key for winding the spring. This now-known key consists ofnothing more than a comparatively shortcrossbar that is adapted to beengaged by the operators fingers and which is operatively connected to aplug which fits in a socket in the windin element of the camera with theconnection ineluding a ratchet which permits rotation of the bar in onedirection without any operative efiects.

While a winding key of the type above indicated performs theoperationthat is required of it, namely, the winding of the spring, there aremany disadvantages'which attend the use of this now available key. Inthe first place, a considerable interval of time is required tocompletely wind the springof the camera. When it is considered thatthese cameras are very often employed in taking pictures of sport eventsand other scenes of action, an interval as long as twenty eight tothirty seconds, which is ordinarily required to wind a spring with thenow known key, is so long as to greatly impair the ultimate result.

Then, with the now known 'key, the operative connection between thewinding element in the camera which receives the plug of the key andthe; key itself is maintained intact While the camera is takingpictures. This means that the key must either be withdrawn from thecamera when it is not used in winding operations or if left in position,it will slowly rotate as the camera is used. Both of these-conditionsare un- 2 desirable, particularly the former in that a certain-amount oftime is unavoidably expended in positioning the key for the windingoperation.

When it is considered that movie cameras are often located at various.positions with respect to the operator, the inconvenience which attendsthe use of the now known key is emphasized. Very oftema movie camerawill be located above the operators shoulders and it becomes extremelyawkward for the operator to perform the winding. operation.

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention-has in viewas its foremostobjective, theprovision of a winding crank which isintended to replace the winding key now commonly employed in conjunctionwith sixteen millimeter movie cameras of the Bell and Howell type andwhich winding crank obviates the undesirable features above outlined.

An important object of the invention lies in the provision of awindingcrank of the type indicated which includes an extensible-arm. Undernormal conditions when the crank is not used, the arm is collapsed andassumes a compact condition at the side of the camera. When its use isrequired it may be quickly extended to afiord alongcrank arm with theattending benefits ofincreased leverage and mechanical advantage.

Another object of theinvention is to provide, ina winding crank ofthetype indicated, a crank arm whichconsists essentially of a base elementformed with a cylindrical socket which telescopically and rotatablyreceives an extensible element. The-latter is provided with an operatingmember on' the free end thereof. When the armis collapsed, theextensiblemember may be rotated through substantially ninety degrees to bringthis-operating member into a compact condition' inwhich it does notprotrude outwardly. The base member and-extensible member are providedwith elements which interlock when the arm-is-extended and which preventrelative rotation between the two.

Another highly important object of the invention isto-providea-windingcrank of the type indicated which consistsessentially of an extensible arm that-is pivotally connected at one endto one end of a-crossbar which carries centrally thereof means foroperatively connecting same to the winding element of a movie camera.The other end of this crossbar is provided with means for limiting therelative movement between the crossbar and the extensible arm. 7

ln-accord'ance with the present invention, it is intended that the crankremain in position on the camera during those times in which the camerais used. In view of this object, it is necessary that the drivingconnection between the winding element in the camera and the crank bebroken while pictures are being taken.

In view of this necessity, a further object is to provide, in a windingcrank of the type indicated, means for interrupting or breaking thedriving connection between the crank and the winding element when thecrossbar and extensible arm are in a relatively collapsed condition.

In carrying out this idea, the usual ratchet is included in theoperative connections between the crossbar and the plug which isreceived in the winding element of the camera. One element of thisratchet carries a pin which extends through an axial passage in theother element and projects beyond the outer face of the crossbar. Thetwo ratchet elements are relatively movable and when the extensible armis collapsed with respect to the crossbar it engages the projecting endof the pin to break the connection between the ratchet elements. Thus,when the extensible arm is collapsed and snapped in it will remain in anineffective position on the side of the camera.

In providing a winding crank of the type indicated, it is desirable thatthe extensible arm definitely assume either of two positions. That is,it should either be snapped in or snapped out. With this thought inmind, a further object of the invention is to provide, in a windingcrank of the type indicated, means for yieldably holding the extensiblearm in either its snapped in or snapped out position.

In carrying out this idea, the end of the base member of the extensiblearm that is remote from its pivotal connection is provided with a pairof spring actuated. ball detents which are adapted to be seated ineither set of two pairs of recesses which are formed on thecorresponding end of the crossbar.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention suchas arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in apractical embodiment will, in part become apparent, and in part behereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a winding crank intended for use withsixteen millimeter movie cameras of the Bell and Howell type and whichwinding crank consists essentially of a crossbar which carries centrallythereof a plug that is adapted for insertion into a socket formed in thewinding element of a movie camera with a breakable ratchet connectionbetween the plug and the crossbar. Pivotally mounted on one end of thecrossbar is the base member of an extensible arm. The other end of thecrossbar and base member are provided with cooperating means forlimiting relative pivotal movement between the two and also withcooperating elements of a yieldable detent which holds the base memberin either a snapped in or snapped out position.

The base member telescopically and rotatably receives an extensiblemember that is adapted to 1 either be extended into operative positionor collapsed into an inoperative position. The ratchet connectionaforesaid is adapted to be broken when the extensible arm is moved intoits snapped in or collapsed position relative to the crossbar.

For a full and more complete understanding of 4 the invention, referencemay be had to the fol-' lowing description and accompanying drawingwherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a sixteen millimeter moviecamera of the Bell and Howell type with a winding crank which isdesigned in accordance with the precepts of this invention appliedthereto.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the crank per se with the arm inan extended position.

Figure 3 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevationshowing the extensible arm as collapsed and snapped into its inoperativeposition.

Figure 4 is a detailed showing looking from the inner face of thecrossbar when the arm is collapsed and snapped into position against thecrossbar; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken about on the planerepresented by the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts, and first more particularly to Figure 1, a sixteenmillimeter movie camera of the Bell and Howell type is therein depictedand referred to in its entirety by the reference character C. The cameraC includes a side face at H] against which the winding crank of thisinvention is intended to be operatively assembled. This side face I0 isformed with an opening through which a plug (to be later described) isadapted to pass so that it may be seated in a winding element that isincluded as a part of the camera 0. It is this winding element whichmust be rotated to place the actuating spring of the camera C under thetension necessary for operation of the camera.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the winding crank ofthis invention is shown as including a crossbar II which has a lengthsomewhat less than the diameter across the circular face l0.Intermediate its ends, the crossbar II is formed with a centralembossment or hub 12 which is in turn formed with a bore l3. A ratchetelement I4 has an exposed face that is formed with a series of ratchetteeth I5 which are of the radial type. The opposite end of the elementI4 is of cylindrical formation and is nonrotatably received in the boreI3. This nonrotatable connection may be achieved in any desired mannersuch as by a pressed fit or metallic fusion. The important thing is thatthere should be a driving connection between the element Ill and thecrossbar II. The element I4 is formed with a groove 9 which receives asplit spring ring 8. This spring 8 holds the element M in position inthe camera C.

The ratchet element 14 is formed with an axial passage l6 which at itsinner end is enlarged with the element l4 counterbored to form a recessI6.

A second ratchet element l8 has one face formed with ratchet teeth [9that are complemental to the teeth [5 and with which they are adapted toengage. The end of the element l8 remote from the teeth [9 is shaped toprovide a noncircular plug 20 that is adapted to be received in thesocket of the winding element of the camera as above mentioned toestablish a driving relation between this winding element and theratchet member l8. Any noncircular formation desired may be employed toestablish this driving fit but inasmuch as the cameras now includesquare sockets, the plug 20 is shown as being square.

The element I8 is formed with a central bore 21 which extends throughthe plug 20. Received in th'is bore 2| is an elongated pin 22 and adriving relation between thispin and'the plu is established in anyprefer-redmanner such as employing the cross pin shown at 23'.

The pin 22 passes through the bore it of the ratchet member l4 and intothe recess H. The free end of this pin 22' carries a head 24 that isslidably received in the recess i'i An expansion coil spring 25 isdisposed about the pin 22in the recess I! and bears against the innerface of the head 24 at one end and the ratchet element 14 atthe other.

Under normal conditions when no restraining force is applied to the head2'4,ithe spring 25 will maintain the head 24 in position depicted inface of the crossbar lfl'. Moreover, in this position the pin 22drawsthe ratchet elements t4 and: l 8i together sotthat the teeth 5 5*and i'e mesh to establish, for rotation in one direction, the drivingrelation between these ratchet elements.

At one end, the crossbar l! is formed with a pair of spaced ears 26between which extend a pivot pin 21. Mounted on this pivot pin 2-? is atailpiece 28 formed on a base member 29. This base-member 29 is adaptedto assume a face to face engagement with the crossbar H as shown inFigure 3.

The end of the crossbar H remote from that which carries the cars 26 isformed with a recess 39 which defines a pair of legs 31 and 32 on oppositesidesthereof. (See Figure 4.) Outstanding from the free ends ofthe legs 35 and to which they are integrally joined are endpieces 33.Each of these endpieces 33 carries an outwardly projecting flange 34.

The base member 29 at the end remote from its pivotal connection to thecross bar ii and on the face which engages this crossbar ii is formedwith an enlargement 35 which fits in the recess between the legs 3! and32 and the endpieces 33. Extending outwardly from opposite sidesof thebase member 29 substantially at the end thereof and beyond theenlargement are cross pins 35 which engage the flanges 34 to limit therelative pivotal movement between the base member 29 and the crossbarii.

The inner faces of the endpieces 33 adjacent to the outer ends of thelatter areformed with avpair of recesses 37 which are in alignment, eachof these recesses being a segment of .a sphere. These same inner facesof the endpieces 33 are also formed at the inner ends of the legs withanother pair of recesses 38. The enlargement 35 is formed with atransversed passage 35! and positioned in this passage are a pair of'ball detents 40 which are normally urged apart by an expansion coilspring 4'! which is positioned in the passage 39"between the balls 43.This spring 4i serves to yieldably retain the balls 49 in either therecessesBB or 3'! but permits them to be removed from these recesses'bythe camming influence caused by relative movement of the base member29 and crossbar I l.

Outstanding from the base member 29 are curved walls 42 that areseparated by a slot 43 and which are joined at one end by the tubularconstruction 44. The outer exposed face of base member 29 is formed witha longitudinal groove; the curve of which blends in with that of theinner faces of the side walls 42 and the bore of the tubularconstruction 44 to provide a cylindrical socket 45 which slidablyreceives an extensible arm 46; This extensible arm 46 is of cylindricalconstruction and at one end carries Figure 2 in which it projects beyondthe outer a key 41 that is adaptedto be receivedin'theslot 43 to preventrelative rotationbetween the arm t6 and the basemember 29.

The inner end of the slot 43 is closed and is thereby constituted astopthat is engaged by the key to limit outward movement of the arm 46.

At the end of the arm 46 remote from that which carries the key 47 andsubstantially in alignment with this key is an outwardly extending shaft48 that has one end screwed into the arm 46. The free end of thisshaft48 is formed with a wrench engaging socket shown at 49. Rotatablymounted on this shaft 48 is an operating member or sleeve 50 which isadapted tobe comfortably engaged by the fingers of an operator.

Beyond the tubular construction at 44, the walls 42 at their outermostextremity are cut away to provide one leg 51 of a keyhole slot, theother leg being formed by cutting away one of the side walls 42 as shownat 52. The operating member 58 is adapted to move in the two legs 5| and52 of this keyhole slot with the transition from one leg to theotherbeingtaccomplished by rotation of the-arm 46.

Operation In outlining the operation of the winding crank abovedescribed, it will'be assumed that the crank is to remain in position ontheside of the camera C during those periods when the latter'is used.Thus, the plug 26 will have a driving fit in a socket formed in thewinding element of the camera C. With the base member 29 snapped inrelative to the crossbar II, the inner face of the base member 29engages the head 24 so as to move the latter inwardly into the recess ITand thereby affect the pin 22' to break the connection between theratchet elements l4 and I8.

= The base member 29'will be yieldably heldin this snapped in positionby the reception of the ball detents 40in the recesses 33. In this position, the camera may be operated in the usual manner and rotation of thewinding element within the camera will not effect the crossbar H orany'of the mechanism carried thereby.

In' this position of nonuse, the extensible arm 46 will be completelyretracted within the bore 45* of the base member 29 and the operatingmember 56 is positioned in the leg 52 of the keyhole slot. This holdsthe extensible arm 46 in its retracted position and the operating member591s solocated that it does not project outwardly in an objectionalmanner.

When the crank is needed to wind the spring of the camera 0', the basemember 29 is first snapped out. This means the ball detentsdll come outof the recesses 38 and ride over the inner faces of the endpieces 33until they are seated in the recesses 33. The latter engagementyieldably maintains the base member 29 inits snappedout position.

Aswill be seen from Figure 2, this snapping out of the base member 23releases the head 24 so that the spring 29 urges the ratchetelements Isand iiiintoeiiectiveengagement.

The operating member 50' is now swung outwardly, which action isaccompanied by rotation of the arm 46. Thisrotati'ng movement iscontinued until the inner end of the operating member 56' engages theedge of the wall 42 opposite to the leg 52. This brings the operatingmember 50 into alignment with the leg SI of the keyhole slot and at thesame time the key 41 alignswit'h theslot 43vv The arm 4fiiis now'movedlongitudinally in the bore 45 and in a radially outward direction untilthe key 41 enters the slot 43 and reaches the closed end of this slot.The operating member is now extended outwardly and the extensible arm isfully extended. It may now be used by the operator to wind up the springof the camera C. While it is possible to wind up this spring bycontinuously rotating the operating member in the required direction,greater convenience in the winding operation may be had due to thepresence of the ratchet teeth I and IS. The operating member may bemoved through any desired angular distance and then quickly retractedover the same distance without effecting the winding action because theteeth and 19 will slide over one another in this socalled backwardrotation.

When the crank is not to be used it may be quickly collapsed by movingthe arm 46 inwardly in the socket 45 until the operating member 50 comesopposite the leg 52. It is then swung over into this slot and the basemember 29 snapped into its inner position which breaks the connection ofthe ratchet elements.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbeforeset forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms, and devicesillustrated and described because various modifications of these detailsmay be provided in putting the invention into practice within thepurview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a winding crank for winding the spring of a movie camera, thecombination of: a crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in asocket formed in the winding element of said camera, driving connectionsbetween said plug and crossbar, and an extensible arm pivotally .4

mounted on said crossbar and arranged in a position overlapping andsubstantially in alignment with said crossbar.

2. In a winding crank for winding the spring of a movie camera, thecombination of: a crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in asocket formed in the winding element of said camera, driving connectionsbetween said plug and crossbar, an extensible arm pivotally mounted atone end of said crossbar, said extensible arm being arrangedsubstantially in alignment with and overlapping said crossbar, andcooperating means on said extensible arm and the other end of saidcrossbar for limiting relative movement therebetween.

3. In a winding crank for Winding the springof a movie camera, thecombination of: a crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in asocket formed in the winding element of said camera, driving connectionsbetween said plug and crossbar, an extensible arm pivotally mounted onsaid crossbar, said extensible arm being arranged substantially inalignment with and overlapping said crossbar, and cooperating elementsof a yieldable detent on said crossbar and arm respectively foryieldably holding said arm in either of two positions relative to saidcrossbar.

4. In a winding crank for movie cameras including a spring that isadapted to be wound by rotation of a winding element, the combination ofa crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in a socket formed insaid winding element.

operative connections between said plug and crossbar including separableratchet elements, an

8 extensible arm pivotally mounted on said crossbar, and means to affectsaid ratchet elements in one position to separate said elements andbreak the driving connection between said plug and crossbar.

5. In a winding crank for movie cameras including a spring that isadapted to be wound by rotation of a winding element, the combination oft a crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in a socket formed insaid winding element, a ratchet element carried by said crossbarcentrally thereof and formed with an axial passage, a complementalratchet element carried by said plug, a pin carried by saidlast-mentioned ratchet element and extending through said passage withits end normally projecting beyond the outer face of said crossbar, andan extensible arm pivotally mounted On said crossbar and adapted toengage the projecting end of said pin to break the driving connectionbetween said ratchet elements.

6. In a winding crank for movie cameras including a spring that isadapted to be wound by rotation of a winding element, the combinationof: a crossbar, a plug adapted to be drivably fitted in a socket formedin said winding element, a ratchet element carried by said crossbarcentrally thereof and having ratchet teeth on its outer end and formedwith an axial passage terminating in a counterbore at its inner end,said counterbore opening onto the outer face of said crossbar, acomplemental ratchet element carried by said plug, a pin on saidlast-mentioned ratchet element extending through said passage and havinga head received in said counterbore, an expansion spring in saidcounterbore engaging said head and normally urging said ratchet elementsinto efiective engagement, and an extensible arm pivotally mounted onsaid crossbar and adapted to engage said head to break the connectionbetween said ratchet elements.

7. In a winding crank of the character described, the combination of acrossbar, and an extensible arm pivotally mounted on said end of saidcrossbar, said extensible arm including a base member overlying saidcrossbar and a member slidably mounted thereon which when extendedassumes a position substantially in alignment with said crossbar.

8. In a winding crank of the character described, the combination of: acrossbar, an extensible arm comprising a base member having acylindrical socket, said base member overlying said crossbar, and an armslidably received in said socket and when extended assuming a positionsubstantially in alignment with said crossbar, and a pivotal connectionbetween one end of said crossbar and one end of said base member.

9. In a winding crank of the character described, the combination of: acrossbar, an extensible arm comprising a base member having acylindrical socket and an arm slidably received in said socket, apivotal connection between one end of said crossbar and one end of saidbase member, and cooperating means on the other ends of said crossbarand base member respectively for limiting relative pivotal movementtherebetween.

10. In a winding crank of the character described, the combination of: acrossbar, an extensible arm comprising a base member having acylindrical socket and an arm slidably received in said socket, apivotal connection between one end of said crossbar and one end of saidbase member, cooperating means on the other ends of said crossbar andbase member respectively for limiting relative pivotal movementtherebetween, and cooperating elements offa yieldable detent on saidcrossbar and base member respectively for yieldably holding said basemember in either of two positions relative to said crossbar.

11. In a winding crank ofthe character described, the combination of:abase member having an outer face formed with a longitudinally extendinggroove, side walls extending outwardly from said base member and havinginner faces blending in with the curvature of said groove to provide acylindrical socket having a slot at one end thereof, said side wallsbeing formed with a keyhole slot at the end remote from said slot, acylindrical arm slidably and rotatably received in said socket a key onone end of said arm adapted to be received in said slot, and anoperating member on the other end of said arm adapted to move in saidkeyhole slot and be received in one leg thereof.

12. In a winding crank of the character described, the combination of: acrossbar, means for operatively connecting said crossbar to the windingelement of a movie camera, an extensible arm pivotally mounted at oneend of said crossbar and assuming an effective position overlapping saidcrossbar and substantially in aligmnent therewith, said extensible armincluding a base member and an extensible member slidably and rotatablycarried by said base member, and cooperating elements of a yieldabledetent on said base member and crossbar respectively for yieldablyholding said base member in either of two positions relative to said 10a 1 3. In a winding crank of the character described, the combinationof: a crossbar, means 'iforoperatively connecting said crossbar to theJwinding element of a movie camera, and includ- Lai'ng separable ratchetelements, an extensible arm gpivotally mounted at one end of saidcrossbar, said extensible arm including a base member and an extensiblemember slidably and rotatably carried by said base member, andcooperating elements of a yieldable detent on said base member andcrossbar respectively for yieldably holding said base member in eitherof two positions relative to said crossbar, said base member beingadapted in one position to maintain said ratchet "elements separated andthereby render said operating means inefiective.

' ALFRED WILLIAM CHRIST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

